Cleaning plug



April 15 1924. 1,490,440

. I J. F. WELLS CLEANING PLUG Filed Oct. 4, 1922 ilk beaten JJMAJ" 7T hLLa.

Patented-Apr. 15, 1924.

i 1,490,44fi

P TENT GFFICE JAMES F. WELLS, OF ALTON, ILLINOIS.

CLEANING PLUG.

Application filed October 4. 1922. Serial No. 592,362,.

useful Improvements in Cleaning Plugs, of

which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to tanks, boilers and the like and has special reference to a clean ing plug for devices of this description.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of cleaning plug which may be held in position by the pressure from within the boiler or tank but which can be readily removed for cleaning purposes.

A second important object of the inven tion is to provide an improved cleaning plug and securing device therefor which will hold the plug in position independently from any pressure within the boiler but which can be quickly released to permit removal of said, plug.

A third important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of an inwardly opening cleaning plug combined with a cage or retainer therefor to prevent the plug from dropping into the body of the tank or boiler and thus being lost.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel de-- tails of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Figure 1 is a section through the water leg of a boiler or still showing one form of the improved plug in position.

Figure 2 is a face view of the plug and locking means employed therewith.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the locking device used with this form.

Figure 4 is a detail view partly in section showing a second form of the device.

Figure 5 is a face view of the second form.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, the device has been shown as applied to a water tube boiler or still and in Figure said still is indicated at 10. In this plate is formed a frusto conical opening 11 for the reception of the clean out plug which consists of a hollow frusto conical shell 12 hav- 1 the outside plating of.

ing its major end closed as at 13. The minor end of this shell opens outwardly so that the operator may insert his finger therein for the purpose of positioning the shell as desired. Through this minor end are formed diametrically opposed openings for the reception of a headed locking pin 14 and surrounding the end is a spring washer ring 15 which is bowed diametrically so as to provide raised portions 16 having grooves 17 therein for the reception of the ends of the pin 14. From this ring extends an arm 18 having an upturned finger grip 19 at its extremity.

In using this form of the device the shell is positioned in the opening and pin 14 placed through its openings. The washer ring prior to this has been slipped over the smaller end so positioned that the pin 14 is opposite the inwardly bowed portions of the ring. The grip 19 is then gripped and the ring rotated through a quarter circle to bring the pin ends into the notches 17.

In the form shown in Figures 4 and 5 there is provided a casting 20 which is riveted or bolted to the tank or the like, suit able openings 21 being provided for the reception of the rivets or bolts. This casting is provided with a tapered opening 22 corresponding to the opening 11 and receives the plug 23 correspondingto the plug 12. In place ofthe headed pin 14 there is provided a plane pin 24 and on the casting 20 is a pair ofarcuate ribs 25 so spaced that the pin 24 may be inserted in the plug 28 and the latter then rotated to bring the ends of the pin 24 behind said ribs, thus preventing dislodging of the pin from the plug. The washer ring for this type is indicated at 26 and is precisely similar to the ring 15 except that the finger grip 27 is perforated to receive the cord or wire device 29. This cord or wire passes through an opening 30 in one of the ribs 25; At 31 is a cage which normally positioned axially of the plug 23 but is pivoted at one side as at 32 so that when the plug is pushed in the cage may be swung outside to permit free access to the interior of the receptacle through the opening 22. In this cage are suitable openings 33 for free circulation of the contents of the tank or boiler.

There has thus been provided a simple and efiicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be 28 of a sealing made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the mate rial spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

l. The combination with a clean-out plug, of a pin extending transversely of the plug and removable therefrom and a locking washer surroundin the plug, beneath the pin and consisting ofa ringof elastic metal bowed transversely and provided with diametrically disposed notches to receive ends of said pin.

2. The combination with a supporting member having a tapered opening therein; of a clean-out plug consisting of a hollow frusto conical member having its major end closed and its minor end open, said. member having diametrically disposed openings at its minor end, a pin removably mounted in said openings in spaced relation to the supporting member, a locking washer ring surrounding the plug and bowed transversely to have two of its diametrically disposed parts bear against the supporting member and the parts at right angles thereto engaging beneath said'pin, but grooved to receive the pin ends.

3. The combination with a supporting member having a tapered opening therein; of a clean-out plug consisting of a hollow frustro conical member having its major end closed and its minor end open, said member having diametrically disposed openings at its minor end, a pin removably mounted in said openings in spacedrelation to the supporting member, a locking washer ring surrounding the plug and bowed transversely to have two of its diametrically disposed parts bear against the supporting member, the parts at right angles thereto engaging beneath said pin, but grooved to receive the pin ends, and means carried by the supporting member for preventing longitudinal movement of the pin with respect to the plug when in one mitting free movement thereof when in another position.

a. The combination with a supporting member having a tapered opening therein; of a clean-out plug consisting of a hollow frusto conical member having its major end closed and its minor end open, said member having diametrically disposed openings at its minor end, a pin removably mounted in said openings in spaced relation to the supporting member, a locking washer ring surrounding the plug and bowed transversely to have two of its'diametrically disposed parts bear against the supporting member, the parts at right angles thereto engaging beneath said pin, but grooved to receive the pin ends, means carried by the supporting member for preventing longitudinal move ment of the pin with respect to the plug when in one position and permitting free movement thereof when in another position and a cage pivoted to said supporting member and positioned opposite the major end of the plug to receive said plug when the latter is removed from its opening.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 7

JAMES F. WELLS. Witnesses:

OsoAR L; Hanna, J M. Bonus.

position and per-- 

